Des Moines Performing Arts Appoints Monica holt as New President & CEO
Des moines Performing Arts (DMPA) has secured a dynamic new leader. Monica Holt, a nationally acclaimed arts administrator and Emmy Award-winning producer, will assume the role of President and CEO in January.This transition follows the retirement of Jeff Chelesvig, who concludes a remarkable 30-year tenure with the organization this month.
(Image of monica Holt – as provided in the original text)
A Smooth Transition & Experienced Interim Leadership
To ensure continuity, Heidi Watkins, DMPA’s long-serving Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will step in as interim President and CEO starting November 21st. This provides a stable bridge as Holt prepares to join the team.
Holt’s Remarkable Background: A Kennedy Center Veteran
Holt brings a wealth of experience from her extensive career at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. She moast recently served as Senior Vice President of Artistic Planning, a role where she demonstrably impacted the institution’s success.
Here’s a glimpse of her accomplishments:
* Strategic Vision: Spearheaded strategies to broaden audience reach and maximize revenue.
* Financial Stewardship: Managed a substantial $110 million budget effectively.
* Programming Expertise: Oversaw programming for over 2,000 events annually, spanning diverse art forms and reaching over 2 million attendees.
* Community Focus: Championed the vital role performing arts centers play in fostering community well-being and building cross-sector partnerships.
Prior to leading artistic planning, Holt honed her skills as Director of Marketing. There, she built a team focused on impactful brand storytelling, refined financial modeling, and innovative audience engagement strategies for the Kennedy Center, Washington National Opera, and National symphony Orchestra.She’s also an accomplished executive producer and the host of “CI to Eye,” a respected podcast within the arts and culture industry.
Holt’s Vision for DMPA
Holt expressed her enthusiasm for joining DMPA, stating, “It is indeed an honor to join des Moines Performing Arts, an institution whose national reputation for artistic excellence is matched by its deep roots and community connections in Des Moines and throughout Iowa.”
She further emphasized her commitment to building upon Chelesvig’s legacy and working collaboratively with the DMPA team to ensure the arts remain accessible and central to the lives of Iowans. Her goal is to strengthen DMPA’s position as both a world-class presenter and a vital community partner.
Board Chair Highlights Holt’s Qualifications
Ardis Kelley, Chair of the Des Moines Performing Arts Board of Directors, echoed this sentiment. “Monica’s experience at The kennedy Center and her track record of leading high-impact initiatives are impressive,” Kelley noted.
She continued, emphasizing Holt’s ability to:
* Foster collaboration.
* Embrace innovation.
* Deepen community connections.
* Maintain the highest standards of artistic excellence.
These qualities,Kelley believes,make Holt the ideal leader to guide DMPA into the future.
educational Background & Professional Affiliations
Holt holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of William and Mary and is an active member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. This combination of academic foundation and industry involvement underscores her dedication to the arts.
This appointment signals an exciting new chapter for Des Moines Performing Arts, promising continued artistic vibrancy and strengthened community engagement under Holt’s leadership.
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